EJohn54

I am trying to plan a honeymoon for March of 2008 and have been trying to decide on an island, but cannot narrow it beyond what I already have. We are looking for a relaxing place that has some activities, but nothing overwhelming. We would really like a nice white sand beach with a really nice room and clear water. This is what I have it down to:

-Barbados
-St. Lucia
-St. John
-Cayman Islands

Any advice would greatly be appreciated. We have never been to the Caribbean before and are excited to finally experience it. If you have any recommendations on places to stay on those islands, I would also appreciate that. Thank you so much!

beachbum2

What are you looking to spend on the week. There are soooo many options with different price ranges. give us a room rate range and you will get many responses. What you are looking for can be found on any island.

EJohn54

Sorry, I meant to include that. I would like to stay under $700 a night for the room.

blamona

Sounds like a flat dry scubby island would work for you-
check out:
Anguilla (Cuisinart or Cap Jaluca)
Turks and Caicos (Regent Palms, or Turks and Caicos Club-Palms more active, T&C Club more secluded)
Four Seasons Exumas
Little Dix Bay Virgin Gorda, Virgin Islands

All 4 mentioned above have consistently some of the clearest waters and nicest beaches. They are all 4 relaxing places-yet you can find something to do if needed.

From Anguilla, you can explore all the secluded beaches, and ferry over to St. Martin for tons of activities, shopping and casinos (only 20 minutes!) It has the best restaurants in the Caribbean, and is ultra romantic. It has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

From Turks and Caicos, there is great off the beach snorkeling, some activities (not overwhelming but you can find some parasailing, banana boats,etc) Also has great water excursions, snorkel trips, Iguana Island, and an unofficial "mascot"-JoJo the dolphin. The most romantic excursion is a beach getaway-they drop you off a secluded Cay (like a little Gilligan's Island) and with food, drinks, umbrellas and lounge chairs, have paradise pretty much to yourself for as long as you want it. Some great restaurants with gorgeous settings too. Probably some of the best beaches in the world.

Exumas may or may not be chilly in March. If it's not, it has stunning beaches, and fun boat renting to explore the cays-stunning turquoise waters and white sand beaches.

Virgin Gorda is hilly and dramatic. Stunning beaches in coves, and decent snorkeling. Great boat, especially sail and catamaran excursions. The Baths have huge boulders at the shore-make the beaches there very exotic. Cool "funky" beach bars to hang out at, laid back, yet have character.

Of your choices, Caymans are very active, long beach, excellent snorkeling, decent shopping, cruise ships, upscale.

Barbados is big compared to other islands. All kinds of things to do, shop, excellent golf courses. There are hagglers and beach vendors on the beach. You'll need a car to get around. The beaches are pretty, but don't come close to the others mentioned. It is a good "all around" type island-with something for everyone, with a good Caribbean vibe.

I have not been to St. Lucia, because I flew over by small plane, and while very lush and hilly looking, the beaches just seemed okay-not enough to draw me back.

St. John is a great choice-stunning scenery, decent shopping. Can be combined with Virgin Gorda. (check out the combo of Little Dix Bay and Caneel Bay) great island hopping, great snorkeling, nice white sand beaches, more in coves, not in long stretches like the others aboved mentioned.

poss

jumping in here: blamona-- what a fine run-down of the various places. And I mainly agree with your assessments. Here's my question: the one time we were on Turks and Caicos (maybe 15-20 years ago), we thought the snorkeling was not good at all. Rather the off-beach snorkeling wasn't good, wasn't anything. Once one took a boat out, there was plenty to see (and the water really is gorgeous); jojo was even there that many years ago. But except for that one little spot off of whatever that resort now is (Coral Gardens?), we didn't find any real off-beach snorkeling at all. Thus we've never been back, since snorkeling is the thing we most care about.
In short, I'd love to find out that I'm mistaken about the virtually non-existent snorkeling off T&C beaches. I'd love to go back. Can you illuminate, please?
(E.g. we thought the snorkeling was even better on Barbados than on T&C-- and it's pretty poor on Barbados... Much better on both St John and Virgin Gorda. Pretty poor on Anguilla. Good on Cayman.)

EJohn: If you can spell out a little of what helped you narrow your choices to the 4 you mentioned, people will be better able to help you further. Including what kind of accommodation you'd most like to stay in. (condo? all-inclusive?resort? big hotel? small hotel?) By the way, Cayman, imo, is the least "Caribbean" of the islands you've mentioned. (Also always feels the most crowded.) Barbados perhaps the most "Caribbean." St John perhaps our favorite island-- and if nice white sand beach is main thing, you'll want to stay at Caneel.

Knowing

We stayed at the Hilton in Barbados in February and loved it! It was perfect for when we wanted those laid back relaxing times. Huge white sand beach with clear water and beautiful pools. BTW, we never saw one beach vendor our entire stay. We stayed on one of the executive floors and had a suite, including two bathrooms. Not a lot of kids. The service and amenities were wonderful. We ate at the most wonderful gourmet restaurants all over the island. There is plenty of nightlife if you were to decide that you wanted to go out one night. It really is an ideal place. You can rent a car or hire a driver. They are plentiful and do an excellent job. We've been to about a dozen islands, including St Lucia, St John and Grand Cayman. We like Barbados the best and it has the best beaches.

TomCayman

Hey poss,

You noted "Cayman, imo, is the least "Caribbean" of the islands you've mentioned. (Also always feels the most crowded.)"

Have you ever gone beyond the Seven Mile Beach strip.

There are other areas of Grand Cayman with accommodation very well suited to the Honeymoon requirements of the OP

(oh, and with beachfront rooms well below $700 per night too!)

TO EJohn54, congrats !

poss

FYI: Yes, we know Cayman pretty well inside and out. Don't live there as you do, Tom, but have fairly thoroughly explored the island. Have visited a number of times and lived there for a month some years ago. Very very different "feel" from what op would find on the other 3 mentioned islands (as each of them is differnt from each other) (and as each of us is...)

beachbum2

I would second Caneel in St. John as well as Little Dix bay. Friends have stayed at Jumby Bay in Antigua and loved it. Hermitage Bay is on my short list in Antigua also. Peter Island off Tortola BVI is a great honeymoon spot too.

francophile03

After returning yesterday from Barbados I agree with all who say it is an island that has something for everyone. We stayed at the Hilton too and I second knowing's comments. However, we were accomodated in a regular room although it was in the Lighthouse Tower facing the sea so that was nice. So I don't know about the Executive Level rooms and can only imagine they are much nicer although our regular room was very nice. I did encounter one beachside (Hilton beach) vendor at the same time everyday around 4 or 4:30 p.m. He's got a briefcase filled with jewelry he made and is not aggressive at all. He just approaches nicely and asks if you'd be interested in seeing his jewelry.

xkenx

For a newbie to the Caribbean, Barbados is a good choice. There is some of everything the Caribbean has to offer. A class act on the island is Coral Reef Club. Family-owned for 50+ years, lovely plantation-style low rise bldgs and cottages, beautiful grounds. IMO the ultimate for romantic honeymooners' paradise-on-earth is Caneel Bay Hotel on St. John. 171 rooms on 170 acres in the National Park, with 7 tree-shaded white sand beaches + wade-in snorkeling. Don't expect glitter and glitz for all that money; Caneel is upscale casual, not even TV or phone in the room. But that's the way guests who have returned year after year have wanted it. The grounds are so extensive, you can nearly get lost. No development to be seen--just view of sea, sky, grounds, other islands. If you look at their website, www.caneelbay.com take a look at their video. As beautiful as that is, it does not begin to do the place justice.